T- Some of that figs and raisin coming through but mostly it tastes like a black licorice stick. The high alcohol is not very well hidden in this beer. It seems to really come out towards the finish. Little bitter on the back end.

M- Beer feels very thick and syrupy. Really feels like a mouthful.

O- I would have to say this is a very good looking beer. Great colors. The smells and flavors are pretty close to each other but nothing really explodes. The feel of it is a bit of a let down. I mean who wants to drink syrup? But overall not a bad beer. Definitely a slow sipper for me.

pours out a cloudy and occluded burnt bronze and orange colour with a unique coloured head....sort of a bright tan with orange tints. never seen a head this colour. it leaves some sparse lace as i drink. muted aroma...almost had to stick my nose in the beer to pick up on the sweet raisin and fig notes...there are bit and pieces of burnt sugar and caramel/choc malts if you try hard enough. flavour profile is also more muted than i was expecting...earthy, peaty tastes are relevant...maltiness is very strong in this one, with an alcohol burn in the aftertaste. carmelized sugar and light touches of smoke add bits of depth. as this warms up a bit it opens up somewhat, but everything i like about the style seems remotely absent. an earthy, floral hoppiness can be detected. it adds a surpsising smack of bitterness, but it really gets swallowed up by this boozy malt bomb. therefore, this has a massive body and smooth, rich, mouthfeel. never cloying as it has nice dry character to it. drinkability is nice...definitely a winter warmer and the high ABV makes it an adequate sipper.

overall, this scotch ale is missing the peat smoked maltiness and overall depth of character an ale of this style using 7 different types of malt. the nose is severely lacking and the flavour profile is average at best. that doesn't make this a bad beer...it's definitley sturdy and well built. probably will not revisit.